N6ECE Commentary Page
Pedro Neville, KP2NP and Earl (right)
Tony Scimeca, KP2Z - Posted August 20
I have been so busy the last 3 months with moving to Puerto Rico. I haven't even been on the air since June. I did remember that Earl was ill though. So when I just went to the OMIK site to see and hear about the convention I was saddened to hear that Earl had passed away. So I would like to make a comment for Earl.
I met Earl Lockhart, N6ECE, who was among the many distinguished OMIK members that I had the privilege and honor of meeting at the 2007 convention in Baltimore. I have some wonderful memories from that convention…one of which was being around and talking with Earl. He had such a great sense of humor and positive energy all about him. You knew that everything was all right, and was going to be all right when you were in his company.
But the thing I will remember most fondly about Earl is his sign off on the air. So Big Brother Earl we will meet you on the other side, "God willing, and if the creek don't rise."
Joe Contogenis, NU6L - posted on August 18
I called him “Earl, the Pearl”. He was a special person to me, although we never met face to face. You never would have known it by listening to us talk. Our relationship started on the “corner,” and it continued for a few years.
Earl made time to talk to me and always had a good word for me and my family. Our QSOs always ended by saying “God bless you and your family”. I will remember him as a family friend, and he will always be a “Pearl”!
Frank Taylor Smith, K1UB - posted on August 9
A big, ole gentle giant he was—Earl Lockhart, N6ECE. Earl was a delight at the many OMIK conventions I had the pleasure to attend with him and Bobbie. He always looked for the lighter side of things to talk about and to pick fun about! He knew how to harass me during my years as president and have me enjoy the back and forth.
I would be remiss in not mentioning his charity in both WARFA and OMIK. He loved to give! Anyway, we already missed him at the last convention, but I hope that Bobbie will bring his spirit to Saint Louis in 2010.
Stanley E. Lee, KW1E - posted on Tuesday, August 4
I had the pleasure of meeting Earl about six years ago on the radio. He told me to stop by his house the next time I was in Los Angeles. I soon had business in San Diego but drove up to Los Angeles on a Monday after work to meet Earl. He was a tall fellow with a big smile, just as I had pictured him.
He introduced me to Mrs. Bobbie and took me out to his radio shack. We talked for quite a while and later went out to dinner. Later that night Earl took me upstairs and told me to choose a room, that I had the whole upstairs.
Whenever I was in Los Angeles on business, Earl would tell me to just go to the house after work and Mrs. Bobbie would let me in.
Earl treated me like a son and always gave me financial advice. He would sit at the table drinking ice water followed by a short well-needed nap.
He would not sell you anything but would give you the shirt off his back, if you needed it. Earl touched the hearts on many people, on and off the radio. I will treasure his memory. He was a good friend, and I will miss him dearly
Charles Smith, AI4OT - posted on Friday, July 31
I met Earl at the OMIK Convention in Baltimore and enjoyed talking to him about baseball, Alaska and real estate. What a life he had!
He had a knack for copying me when I was mobile traveling between Virginia and Michigan. I'll miss hearing his voice.
Art Moody, W8UTC - posted on Wednesday July 29
I was blessed to have known Earl. He was a friend that you could count on. I can still hear him when he signs on saying "NOVEMBER SIX ECHOOO CHARLIE ECHO". I reflect on some of the conversation we had (that may last for over an hour) about OMIK. He will be missed!
Pictured above (l. to r.) at the 2007 OMIK Convention in Baltimore: Willie Wright, W3FC; Art Moody, W8UTC; Frank Smith, K1UB; Earl Lockhart; and Stanley Lee, KW1E.
Christopher Cornwell, N2YHN - posted on Tuesday July 28
I heard the news this week was very saddened to learn that Earl had passed away. I occasionally checked into the OMIK net on Sundays, conditions were not always the greatest. When Earl came in strong to my station, I knew conditions were good to the west coast (I live in NY).
The way he said his call…especially the “ECHO CHARLIE ECHO” part, reminded me of a radio announcer and was full of enthusiasm. I will always remember Earl this way. He will be missed. Regards.
Harold Mitchell, KB8QT - posted Tuesday, July 28
I feel Earl was a special man, the way he handled himself, being wealthy and acting so kind, how many of us possess these qualities?? very few if at all, can any one step up and replace him, if so, I hope with all my heart they will be a member of OMIK.
Craig Lugar, N7CAL – posted Sunday July 26
It is with sadness and reluctant relief for Earls suffering that I write this note to you and all members.
It is a couple of years ago that I came to find the OMIK Organization and Earl, N6ECE. I found a bad band yet a good signal from Earl which I would soon find to be ordinary from Earls "junk". In a very short time I would learn that I had a pipeline to Earl, Moody, and Gentry, but Earl was the sentinel on the band. He was there more often for me and I soon came to enjoy the QSO's that we had.
Earl was truly representative of many members of OMIK as I would soon learn. As I began to learn of the formation of the organization I was further struck by how well members would comport themselves on the bands. This behavior was notable in Earl as well. I have had more than one occasion while talking with Earl that intentional QRM would occur and Earl handled it better than I would have more than likely and gave me a true measure of this man.
He let nothing deter him from his true calling. In my estimation his true calling was ambassador, a true ambassador to humankind. Through all that I have found out about this man he truly had a gift for relationships.
In ham radio he was open to all who passed his way. He would talk to me with an openness that instilled a comfort level in that made it easy to converse with him on any number of topics. It is this ease that makes all the members of OMIK so welcoming. Earl was a great representative for this wonderful organization.
As a group, to a man, it has been my great pleasure to come into contact with each and every member of OMIK. My orientation to OMIK, through Earl has been a rare pleasure in this hobby which becomes segregated by mode, band, contests, bandwidth issues and so on, to talk with a ham that just truly enjoys conversing with other hams.
Thank you OMIK for being there, and thank you Earl!
Please see also this article from the 2005 edition of the OMIK Communicator by Ted Sneed, WG6F, that is a brief bio of Earl.
